young adult cancer canada

Let’s talk about cancer stigma

October 2, 2013

There are a lot of things people don’t understand about dealing with cancer as a young adult, and that means there can be a lot of stigma associated with your experience. Friends and family (and strangers on the street) may not know how to approach a young adult with cancer. We’ve heard tons of stories of delayed diagnoses because “you’re too young for cancer,” fair-weather friends, and the reasons why people hide their diagnoses from the workplace. We have also heard a lot about families that don’t understand why you’re so tired once treatment is “done,” employers who don’t understand why you may not perform the same as you did before, and strangers who don’t understand why you’re “taking advantage” of reserved parking.

During the month of October, We want to have a discussion around some of the stigmatic situations you have encountered and how you dealt with them. Feel free to post comments on the YACC Facebook Page, Twitter, or in any of the alumni groups you are in.

In addition to this “real time” conversation, we will post stories we have collected from survivors and health professionals in the community, and there’s a brand new way for you put your stamp on this website: we’re inviting you to submit creative interpretations of this theme that will be shared in an online gallery at the end of the month. Send in your poetry, drawings or paintings, vlogs, photographs, links to posts on your own blogs, collages, or anything else that can be distributed digitally. The deadline is October 20, and you can send your submission (and any questions you have) to angie@youngadultcancer.ca.*

For now, hop over to YACC alumnus Thomas Paloheimo’s blog to read about some of the assumptions people had about his disability status.

*All submissions will be subject to a minor approval phase to ensure they adhere to copyright, human rights, and YACC-preferred regulations.